Two wild orcas being kept in captivity in Moscow have had a partial victory: they will not perform at the Sochi Winter Olympic games during the opening ceremony.

“No orcas will be exhibited at the Olympics in Sochi. Also no dolphin will carry the torch, as earlier proposed by the region,” said Erich Hoyt, an orca expert with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation who also told both decisions were confirmed by the President and the Sochi Olympic Committee.

The two orcas were among another five captured from the Sea of Okhotsk last year. While the two were spared from having to perform after thousands signed a petition opposing the use of the wild animals for entertainment, the other five have not had such luck.

“For now, at least 2 orcas are staying in small pens in Moscow while others have gone to China,” announced Hoyt in his personal Facebook page. “No orcas are performing yet in Russia or China and we suppose they are now being trained for the circus shows.”

Unfortunately, there are no plans in sight to release any of the whales back into the wild. That would be the real victory.